Rivers of London

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit – we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to – and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden …and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair. The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos – or die trying.

Honestly Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch has been on my radar for ages, and I just never got around to this series before now. I had amassed a nice sum of Audible credits so this was one of the books I bought on recommendation by Kim Curran. I’m so glad I got the audiobook though, even though the actual book I am sure is amazing, the guy who reads this one is fantastic. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is a voice genius, and the amount of different accents he can do is quite ridiculous. Onto the actual book then, I described this book as “it’s as if Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett had a beautiful love-child” – that is the best description you can expect from this book. Witty, dark, funny and ridiculous at times it is a bizarre read that you can’t put down. It is one of the best urban fantasies I have ever read, and the characters are fantastic too.

PC Grant is a typical male, one foot in the clouds most of the time and the other excruciatingly aware of the ladies he’s chasing. Detective Nightingale will remind you of Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, and he is eccentric and wonderful. He is a weird man, and sometimes doesn’t explain a lot, for example when “taking care” of vampires, and Grant is left to discover and experiment a lot on his own. The other character I absolutely love and I think will end up playing a bigger role in the other books is the housekeeper Molly, she’s quite strange but I really like her thus far, Leslie and Beverly are also quite interesting at times but they’re just supporting characters actually. There are so many characters in this book that are interesting in so many ways it keeps you on your toes the entire time. The world of London in this series is a lot more exciting and definitely brings the “fantasy” to the urban environment. There’s a lot left to discover in the other books, but this is really a great read.  The book has been optioned for a TV series and I think it will translate well to the medium, so we’ll see how it goes but I’ll definitely be excited to watch it.

BBC Big Read Update

Just over a year ago I decided to undertake the task of trying to read all the books on the BBC Big Reads Top 100 list.

So after a year I have completed 10 of the books on the list (technically two are trilogies):

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien – Franky I can understand why people love it, but I’d rather watch the movies. It’s very long.

3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman – Pullman let us down with the last book in this trilogy, however The Northern Lights was fantastic & I loved it.

12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë – Awful. That is all.

43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald – Loved it more than I thought I would, probably should have read it when it was a set work for university.

54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy – I attempted this one but I couldn’t finish it. Just too long and boring. I’ll watch the movie.

59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer – This was a fun read, something original and upbeat. I really enjoyed it.

64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough – Beautiful. This story just gets all your emotions, hopes and dreams caught up in this whirlwind story.

65. Mort, Terry Pratchett – Typical Pratchett. Always love his books, and definitely a goodie.

76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt – Brilliant, Tartt is a genius, I cannot wait for The Goldfinch to be released.

82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith – This was a sweet book, it wasn’t spectacular though.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the island city of Camorr, built on the ruins of a mysterious alien race.

Born with a quick wit and a gift for thieving, Locke Lamora dodges both death and slavery, only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains, neither blind nor a priest.

A con artist of extraordinary talent, Chains passes his skills on to his carefully selected family of orphans “Gentlemen Bastards.”

Locke grows to lead, delightedly pulling off one outrageous trick after another, infamous as the Thorn of Camorr—no wealthy noble is safe from his sting.

But the Gray King is slowly killing Capa Barsavi’s most trusted men and using Locke as a pawn in his plot to take control of Camorr’s underworld.

With a bloody coup under way threatening to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the Gray King at his own brutal game—or die trying.

When at first we meet the wayward and precocious Locke Lamora he is just an orphan child, the novel starts off with evoking memories of Oliver Twist.

After causing a lot of trouble for his first gang’s master he is sold off to an eyeless priest, Chains, where Locke joins his new found family in conning the people of Camorr and becoming brilliant in his cons.

Scott Lynch weaves together an unbelievable story of conmen known as the “Gentlemen Bastards”, the cons range from using their skills to get themselves out of sticky situations to conning the elite of Camorr out of their entire fortunes.

Locke Lamora is a fantastic character and although he’s a criminal Lynch makes all of his Gentlemen Bastards likeable and perhaps even lovable. My favourite character in fact is not Locke but his adopted brother in crime Jean Tannen, the orphan of merchants, reader and muscle behind the Gentlemen Bastards.

We also meet the Sanzas, twins who are reminiscent of the Weasley twins, but who are a lot tougher and rougher. And dear old Bug, who fills the role of baby brother to the gang.

The structure of the story is also interesting as it alternates between the present Gentlemen Bastards and their years they were in training.

Of course, the switch between time lines is always on a cliff hanger and leaves you saying “Just one more chapter – and finally realizing you spent the entire evening with your nose firmly in your book.”

I would definitely recommend this for fantasy fans, however this is not an exceptionally fantasy-oriented novel and I think anyone would be able to enjoy it as their world is not that different from our own.

Lynch knows how to keep you glued to the page and after 700 + pages wondering what happens next. But fear not the sequel Red Seas Under Red Skies is already out.

City of Ashes

Cassandra Clare continues her Mortal Instruments series with the second book City of Ashes, in this book Clary has been thrown into the world of Shadowhunters and has discovered how she functions in it… well sort of.

This is a book typical of the middle child of series in that yeah some action happens but it’s not the best book in the series.

This book develops characters and storyline to be a supporting player to the third book in the series. However this should have been the time for supporting players to come out and show their stuff but it doesn’t happen.

I always find it very difficult to review a book mid-way through a series because you have to have read the first book to know whether the series is your cup of tea or not.

For anyone who loved City of Bones, City of Ashes is right up their alley. But if you didn’t enjoy the first book it would probably save you a lot of time to just quit while you’re ahead.

I can sum up my feelings for this book in that I enjoyed it far more than the third book.

 

City of Bones – Cassandra Clare

Clary’s life is turned upside down when she happens upon a meeting of Supernatural beings while out one night. What happens next is a whirlwind of events that will change how she sees herself and the world around her.

 

The Mortal Instruments is a trilogy by Cassandra Clare, which is basically a teenage version of the television show supernatural with the writing style of J.K. Rowling with the attempted humour of Terry Pratchett.

 

Clary is a “mundane” and perchance she sees some supernatural happenings at a club one night. What follows is a revelation of epic scale and she is thrown into a world she had never dreamed existed within her own. Set in current-day New York City Clare manages to not only creates characters who are relatively well-rounded but also a city that one can imagine is magical. Not on the scale of Beukes’ Zoo City but well enough for teen lit.

 

I was not quite sure if I wanted to read this book but I gave in and well I must admit I did enjoy it. It might not be wholly original, a lot of the ideas have been used before and anyone you knows their Harry Potter will see many similarities. Not that The Mortal Instruments can compare to Harry Potter but there is the same type of humour and friendships in this novel.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a bit different in the young adult genre, it doesn’t quite follow the norms of current teen lit but it does have some very “Oh my god, that is so cheesy. I can’t believe she actually put that in the story” moments. It provides some light entertainment with characters who are ever so slightly deep. Mostly the book is just a action packed, entertainment capsule which you will read quickly but will leave you entertained. I don’t think it will become a classic of the genre but it’s good enough if you are just looking for some light entertainment that is a bit different from the rest of the teen lit out there.

 

 

A Game of Thrones – G.R.R. Martin

“In a game of thrones you win, or you die.”

When I first heard about A Game of Thrones it was when the television show was showing in the US and everyone was raving about it. When I finally got hold of the series I watched the entire first season in two days, and I was enthralled, it was epic like Lord of the Rings but with the malice of Rome. I knew this was a series of books I had to get my hands on. So off I popped to the bookshop and bought it.

It is quite the tome but unlike a couple of other fantasy books I have read it kept me glued to every single page. I knew what was going to happen yet I was still amazed at the depth of the characters. Everyone seems to have their favourite characters in the series and I can honestly say mine is John Snow. For all his faults and mopiness he is still a lovely character. Arya is also wonderful.

There are very few books that have left me so invested in its characters. Every storyline draws you in and all the characters have their flaws, they are completely well rounded.

I would recommend this book to everyone who loves high fantasy, and even if you don’t lovers of historical fiction and even sci-fi epics such as Dune will love this book. I am waiting with anticipation for the second series and to finally get round to reading A Clash of Kings. I’m just sorry it took me so long to get hold of this series.

Looking Forward – Pan Macmillan 2012

Today I went to the Pan Macmillan Adult Presentation having no idea what to expect, and not really sure if I’d even be able to find my way there, but after traversing the Gautrain and a bus I made it to their offices unscathed and in quite a pleasant mood.

The presentation consisted of two parts, their South African books and their international list so without further ado I present some of the titles you can look forward to from Pan Macmillan in 2012:

South African Non-fiction

Two of the series stood out for me here:

Reverend Frank Chikane’s new book Seven Days in September (March 2012) will give the reader a front row seat to removal of Thabo Mbeki as South African president; it will shed light on what happened during those seven days in September 2008, the build-up to it and Mbeki’s legacy.

Chikane has been signed on for three titles with Pan and the book following Seven Days in September will be Things I Could Not Say to be released in September 2012. His other book No Life of My Own will be rereleased to coincide with Seven Days in September.

The other series I am really looking forward to is The Youngsters Series which will consist of a number of smaller, shorter format books focusing of topical issues for young people in South Africa, all the authors are under 35. The series’ editor is Mandy Weiner who wrote the runaway success Killing Kebble. Pan hopes to attract the youth market with these titles, and I think it looks like a fantastic series. Three titles from the series are set to be released in June 2012.

South African Fiction

Three titles from their RSA fiction presentation stood out for me, namely Entanglement, Sarah House and Redemption Song.

Entanglement (March 2012) by Steven Boykey Sidley is set in the USA, and looks at very sweeping themes in a dark, humourous way. I don’t have that many details but by the presentation I can tell the publishers are passionate about this one and I really look forward to it.

Sarah House (March 2012) is a title found in the ‘slush pile’ which looks to be as though it will be the literary highlight for South African fiction next year. It is written by Ifeanyi Ajaegbo, who is a man who works at an NGO in Nigeria helping victims of human trafficking and providing them with safe houses. The novel tells the story of Nita, ‘a young woman who is kidnapped and sold into a terrifying world of prostitution and human trafficking’. I think this is going to be an emotional but important read, especially considering what a huge problem human trafficking is in the world.

And finally for the South African list we have Redemption Song by Amanda Coetzee which follows Badger, from her first book Bad Blood, to Albania and explores traveller communities even further. This book can be read as a standalone, but it will surely win some new fans for Coetzee.

International Fiction

The Trylle Trilogy is coming to a bookstore near you, Amanda Hocking self-published and self-made millionaire has joined St. Martin’s Press and her Trylle Trilogy is set for release in 2012. And I can tell you the covers look absolutely beautiful, no more depressing black and red, or black and blue covers, these full colour covers come to life and I’m sure will bring a whole new following to Hocking’s story. I have already read Switched, but I am really looking forward to the edited, beautiful version. Also I look forward to her untitled Watersong series coming in September 2012.

Easy Money by Jens Lapidus is the other title coming in 2012, he is said to be the next big Scandinavian -English translation hit and US film rights have already been purchased. The first in a trilogy, this book takes the usual Scandinavian crime and throws it over and has sold more than 1 million copies in Sweden alone. Pan Macmillan gave me a proof copy to read, so I will post my review in the near future.

Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer (Book II in the Clifton Chronicles) is set for release in March 2012, the bigger new than this is that Mr. Archer MIGHT be coming on a South African tour to coincide with the release of this title.

Picador will be celebrating their 40^th birthday and are rejacketing some of their titles. I can tell you they look absolutely stunning and I can’t wait to get by book-nerd hands on them.

The Last Rhino by Lawrence Anthony, author of Elephant Whisperer, is releasing this new title in April 2012 which judging by Elephant Whisperer’s success will follow in its footsteps.

Tigers in Red Weather was described as ‘cocktails, jazz, and suppressed violence’. The book is something for fans of books like The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Carol Shaben’s Into the Abyss (August 2012) sounded like a bad joke when presented to us, a criminal hand-cuffed to a policeman, a politician and a pilot survive a plane crash. It’s a true-life adventure written by the politician’s daughter and I am really looking forward to it.

And lastly Peter F. Hamilton’s A Great North Road (October 2012) is being published and Pan have also signed him up for another three titles.

There were many more titles to look forward to but unfortunately you’d be reading forever if I wrote about them all.

About a boy and a dragon

Eragon was one of those books that was completely off my radar when it came out and subsequently I never got round to reading it. Thus it came about that my dear friend, Marius (@Shanothaine) decided I should read it. Well there are things 16 year old boys should do, and one of those is not writing books.

I love the concept of Eragon but I have a few issues with it:

1. The book was published first by Paolini International, which is all fine and well except a professional editor does more than just correct spelling and grammar errors but helps the author develop their manuscript to be the best it can be.
2. The character of Saphira got on my nerves, I have issues (with books) where the protagonist (Eragon) is made out to be dumber than what is, in fact, a baby dragon. And yes Marius explained why Saphira is supposed to be smarter… blah… blah. I don’t care, I still don’t like it.
3. This book would have been brilliant if: Paolini had waited until he was a bit older and had developed his craft a bit more before setting out to write this book and if an editor had taken the time to edit the book and help develop it further. Also ridding the clichés would have harmed no one.
4. Oh and another thing, his ideas were not very original, bits and pieces from other fantasy writers and basically a fantasy version of Star Wars.

So did I like it? The book has potential, it was okay. I struggled to read it, actually dreaded reading it at times but I got through it. The last few chapters redeemed it slightly, but it was too late in the day to save it. Am I going to read Eldest? Yes, I am; Because I’m not a quitter.

Shadowland (The Immortals Book III)

“She always believed he was her destiny—but what if fate has other plans?”

The third instalment is where the whole series starts to come together, and the reader will realise that Alyson Noel knows quite a lot about Wicca, and infuses it with her story. Now why am I mentioning this? The other day my friends and I were discussing the lack of witches and Wicca in young adult literature and how it is in fact a loss, since is it something very different to your run of the mill vampires, werewolves, and angels.

This book delves deeper into the world Damen and Ever are part of, a world within our own but that has many supernatural facets. It also introduces some new characters such as Jude, the golden surfer boy, and some characters return and have a much stronger influence on the twists and turns of this book. Shadowland touches on concepts such as redemption, jealousy, and the fact that a person could have more than one soul-mate. Miles and Haven are also present in this book, but once again it is Haven who plays the bigger role of those two friends.

Shadowland is definitely one of the best books in the series so far, and starts building up for what I think will be an epic conclusion in Everlasting. If you enjoyed Evermore and Blue Moon you will definitely enjoy Shadowland.

Blurb: Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just as their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into a bleak afterlife in the Shadowland, an eternal abyss for lost souls. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…Jude Knight.

Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soul mate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them from the darkness inhabiting his soul, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

 

It Must Be A Marmite Thing?

The Left Hand of God – A Review

To be completely honest from the start I would never, in a million years, have picked up The Left Hand of God. I had seen it in the bookshop many times and just never bothered to pick it up. However that might be due to the dismal blurb, which really makes no sense whatsoever. However, a friend recommended it to me and the bookshop happened to have it in stock so I bought it.

Now maybe it’s because I just finished Assassin’s Apprentice and The Left Hand of God was something quite different from Hobb but I quite enjoyed it. Among the fantasy community I am part of, this book seems to be the worst one to come out in a long time. For reasons I am trying to figure out many people did not like this book at all. I can think of two reasons people didn’t enjoy this book:

1. They do not understand Hoffman and his allegory

OR

2. I am just absolutely oblivious to how bad this book really is.

On the other hand, people have raved about Name of the Wind, which frankly I found unbearable. Thomas Cale is a much more interesting character than Kvothe and his world is much more intricate. Now for this reason only I can only come to one conclusion – The Left Hand of God is a marmite thing. You either love it or you hate it. So decide for yourself whether you are willing to read it, but I would keep in mind that it is most certainly a marmite thing.

That being said I am going to read the next one in the series The Last Four Things, however I do not have high hopes. I can sense there is going to be a prophecy about Thomas Cale, and there is nothing I hate more than a prophecy. It’s just a cop-out for the author so they don’t have to think about how to end the book, they just end it the way it is prophesised. Boring.

(Thanks @dk_stevens for the marmite comparison).

Here’s a blurb for The Left Hand of God:

The remote Sanctuary of the Redeemers is a huge, grim fortress. There boys younger than 10 are taken for intensive training in hand-to-hand combat in preparation for a forthcoming holy war that only the high priests know about. Sixteen-year-old Thomas Cale is one of the thousands of boys who endure unspeakable treatment at the hands of the warrior monks. Sensing something special about Cale, the Lord Militant takes charge of his training, making it extremely harsh and driving him to achieve more and more. When Cale comes across a Redeemer performing a vivisection on a girl, he slays the man, rescues another girl, and realizes that to live he must escape into the outside world. What ensues is a riveting tale of pursuit, derring-do, battles, and death. Unfortunately, some intrusive authorial explanatory asides interrupt the narrative flow. Enigmatic Cale is something of a berserker on his dark side, a protector on his good one. Other principals are credible, and the settings—the foul sanctuary, barren landscape, and aristocratic city to which Cale flees—vivid. A rousing trilogy-opener. (From Booklist)